Mount Dora, Florida

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Mount Dora (population 10,500) is located in north central Florida, 47 miles south of Ocala, and 27 miles north of Orlando. Its history dates to 1880 when it consisted of a lakeside outpost with just 16 families living along Lake Dora. It was first named Royellou, which was a combining of the names of the postmaster’s three children. Within a few years the name was changed to Mount Dora, taken from the name of a homesteader, and the fact that the town rested at a lofty 286 feet above sea level. In 1883 the Alexander House, a two-story 10-room Inn was constructed and guests began to arrive. The initial visitors were fishermen and outdoorsmen, who enjoyed the superb fresh water fishing and even participated in snake hunts. The ladies enjoyed the charm of the inn and the warm climate. In the 1990s the railroad arrived in Mount Dora and life was forever changed. http://ci.mount-dora.fl.us/

Mount Dora was incorporated as a town in 1910 with 370 residents. In the 1920s, Mount Dora’s lakeside became known as place where the good times rolled, despite Prohibition, and it was rumored the Lakeside Inn served as a speak-easy. The building that housed the Alexander House is still in use today as a part of Lakeside Inn and one of Florida’s only remaining wooden hotels.

Mount Dora is an Old Florida village with magnificent turn-of-the-century buildings, large canopy oak trees and the flavor of a small town. It is on the shore of Lake Dora, a 4,475-acre body of water that is interconnected to six smaller lakes. It is even possible to connect to waterways that lead all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. There is outstanding fishing, canoeing, boating, water skiing, sailing, sand beaches and swimming, biking or hiking through lakeside parks, nature cruises, and beautiful sunsets. There is also golf and tennis. There are many choices for dining with 30 or more eateries, including Irish Pubs, Italian, seafood, barbeque, grille, fast food, and elegant dining at resorts or supper clubs. For shoppers there are a number of antique shops, jewelry stores, galleries, and other specialty stores. It was recognized by readers of Florida Living Magazine as “Florida’s friendliest small town, and as having the best antique shopping area in the state.”

The city of Orlando is just 27 miles to the southeast and is just a 40-minute drive to Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, and Cypress Gardens.

Arts & Culture

The Mount Dora Theatre Company is owned and operated by IceHouse Players, Inc. It offers quality presentations that are both entertaining and educational, and provides opportunities for talented members of the community to participate in theater arts. The IceHouse Theater is a 270-seat theater. http://www.icehousetheatre.com/

Hospital

Florida Hospital Waterman is a 204-bed acute care hospital, just north of Orlando in the town of Tavares (5 miles from Mount Dora). The hospital was founded in 1938 as the legacy of Frank Waterman (Waterman Fountain Pen Company). Today it is housed in a modern facility that was completed in 1997. http://www.fhwat.org/

Airports

It is approximately a one-hour drive to the Daytona or Orlando airports. Daytona Beach International Airport – http://flydaytonafirst.com/

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